window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-GEQWY429QJ');

 

Controversial billboards keep popping up around the U.S., Entity reports.

Here we go again. North Carolina’s back in headlines this week with another infuriating ad, courtesy of Spicer Greene Jewelry.

If you’re scratching your head and wondering – who the hell approved this? You are not alone. But unfortunately, neither is Spicer Greene. Their billboard is one of many cringeworthy and downright stupid billboards that has popped up recently.

In light of yet another regrettable misstep, ENTITY looks back at 10 of the most offensive billboards.

1 No one thought this was a bad idea?

Spicer Greene Jewelry's ad landed them on Entity's list of controversial billboards.

Spicer Greene Jewelry ad’s joined this year’s long list of controversial billboards.

After spotting this ad near Asheville, North Carolina this week, critics quickly took to Twitter to slam the ad for its seemingly casual reference toward domestic violence.

The company insisted they didn’t mean any harm by it, and that it was just a “play on words.” But eventually posted an official apology on Facebook as the backlash continued. They also promised to donate 10 percent of this Sunday’s sales to a local shelter for domestic violence victims.

2 No thanks

Entity reports on this sexist North Carolina billboard that has sparked outrage online.

This sexist North Carolina billboard has sparked outrage online.

It’s not been a good year for North Carolina, billboard-wise. A month earlier this gem from Whiteheart Advertising set the internet ablaze.

Many protested the sexist ad, which was shrouded in mystery. No one could figure out who had placed the offensive billboard – or why.

We even spoke with Bill Whiteheart of Whiteheart Outdoor Advertising, but just he kept it cryptic, teasing, “Stay tuned.”

3 Back at it

This marks yet another of North Carolina's controversial billboards, Entity reports.

NC continued the controversial billboards with this follow-up sign.

Well, Bill certainly kept his promise. Not long after the first sexist billboard another one popped up, seemingly mocking critics.

“Much Ado About Nothing – A social experiment that brought forth those so immersed in their own insecurity that in the mirror they could only see an angry victim of their incorrect interpretation of a silly billboard – Bless their hearts,” it read. Ouch.

Of course, sexism and the reinforcement of patriarchal stereotypes isn’t really nothing. But whatever helps you sleep at night, Bill.

Molly Grace, a local business owner who had protested the first sign, believes the intent was clear… and pretty damn rude. She said that it “takes another stab at reinforcing sexism and mocking those who took offense to the original message.” Sounds about right.

4 Because all women are liars, LOL

Entity reports on one of Lab To Go's controversial ads that labeled women as liars.

One of Labs To Go’s controversial billboards suggested women are liars.

This lovely Virginia Beach ad for paternity testing suggests men need to watch out for dishonest women. And it is not subtle.

The woman on the billboard literally has an outstretched nose like Pinocchio when he lies, and in bold, bright lettering the ad asks, “Is the mother a liar?”

Labs To Go president Cheree Owens stood by the offensive ad, suggesting that anyone upset by it simply fell into that category – aka the only people who would be offended are liars/cheaters. Um, okay.

5 Who’s the daddy?

Another of Lab To Go's controversial billboards warned men of cheating women.

Another of Lab To Go’s controversial billboards suggested men needed to worry about cheating women.

Another Labs To Go ad suggested men should be worried about what their wives are doing when they’re away from home. It crudely pictures a mailman next to a solider and asks, “Who’s the daddy?”

One Norfolk resident – Erin McMenamin, who also happens to be a military wife of 15 years – remarked, “I’m offended as a woman that this is something that is being put on billboards. They just send a message that men should worry about what their wives are doing while they are gone.”

But Labs To Go thinks that women like Erin just need to calm down. I mean, she wouldn’t be upset if it weren’t at least a little bit true, right? Cue a Liz Lemon-caliber eye roll.

6 Fake news

This prejudiced ad is another one of the notable controversial billboards, Entity reports.

This prejudiced ad is another one of the notable controversial billboards.

This ridiculous Tulsa, Oklahoma billboard is meant to protest retail giant Target’s bathroom policy, which allows for people to use the restroom that matches their gender identity.

The billboard, showing a young girl looking scared as a large man blocks her way as she tries to leave the bathroom. “Men don’t belong in women’s bathrooms,” it says.

Of course, there’s literally nothing backing claims that transgender women are scheming to harm little girls in bathrooms. They just want to be themselves and be able to exist – and yes, that includes using a bathroom that corresponds to their gender identity, and not what is found on their birth certificate.

The misguided ad is connected to Flush Target, which seeks to punish the retail giant for its progressive policies. We’re willing to bet Target will do just fine without their business.

7 Delusional

Racism is a common theme in these controversial billboards, Entity reports.

Racism is a common theme in controversial billboards.

Harrison, Arkansas has garnered attention recently for its overtly racist billboards sanctioned by the Ku Klux Klan.

One delusional advertisement for White Pride Radio reads, “It’s not racist to love your people.” Um, if that love comes at the expense of everyone else – yeah, it kind of is.

The shocking billboard features a young, Caucasian girl holding a tiny puppy, along with “Love lives here” scrawled across the bottom in red. However, it seems like love is exactly what’s missing from Harrison if they have to rationalize their white supremacy.

8 That’s not how that works

Harrison, Arkansas seems to have a problem with controversial billboards, Entity reports.

Harrison, Arkansas seems to have a problem with controversial billboards.

Unfortunately that’s not all for Harrison. As another previous billboard said, “Anti-racist is a code word for anti-white.” And again – that’s just not how that works.

Racism is prejudice, discrimination or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior. Acknowledging that all races deserve love, respect and human rights does not mean that anything is getting taken away from white people.

This billboard – which also turned up in Alabama – and it’s logically flawed message are just flat-out wrong.

9 Why though?

The messages people shamelessly put on controversial billboards are unbelievable, Entity reports.

The messages people shamelessly put on controversial billboards are unbelievable.

How about not?

Tennessee resident Rick Tyler commissioned this billboard to advertise his run for congress. He claimed the controversial message was meant to gain attention… and boy, did it.

The property owner’s wife quickly had the billboard taken down after threats of vandalism. However, Mr. Tyler stood his ground. A statement shared with News Channel 9, insisted that he had “no intention of backing down or recanting the message he has clearly articulated behind the billboards and God willing, will continue to erect them everywhere possible.”

10 To what specific time were you referring?

Entity reports that some controversial billboards call out racism in America.

Some controversial billboards call out racism in America.

This Pearl, Mississippi billboard was deemed too provocative and covered with a black tarp. It was sanctioned by artist-run super Pac For Freedoms, which wanted to make a point about Donald Trump’s curious election slogan – Make America Great Again.

The shocking billboard displayed the message on top of a scene from “Bloody Sunday,” the violent confrontation between black protestors and Alabama state troopers on Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Speaking of the controversial billboard, artist Hank Willis Thomas wondered what “great” time in American history Donald Trump was hoping to return to – “The Cold War? The crack and AIDS epidemic? Interning Japanese citizens? The Depression? The Civil War?”

And though ultimately the message seemed well-intentioned – hoping to remind people of America’s problematic history – it was certainly jarring, and apparently too much for Pearl citizens to handle. 

Looking at those 10 controversial billboards – which are by no means all of the offensive missteps in the last few years – it can be hard to imagine how any of them actually got approved. What were these people thinking?

Here’s hoping that from now on those with the power of a platform choose to use it more wisely. And for God’s sake – lay off the racist messages. We can be better than that.

Send this to a friend